Milwaukee's Kooky Cookie House Is Back!

MILWAUKEE, WI — The Kooky Cookie House, Milwaukee’s own gingerbread-making marvel of the ’60s and ’70s, has been recreated and will open Saturday at the Milwaukee County Domes.

The Kooky Cookie House will be part of the holiday floral show at The Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd. It will be on display through Jan. 1, 2018, while the holiday show will run through Jan. 7.

Decades ago, crowds would gather during the holiday season at the Capitol Court open-air shopping mall to see a robot at the controls of Santa’s cookie factory. The process included toy trucks making deliveries, boxing gloves kneading the dough, and rolling pins flattening the dough.

A water wheel and a toy steam engine were used to power additional steps in the process. While only rubber cookies emerged from the oven, real cookies were handed out to the kids.

“We were overjoyed when Discovery World contacted us to see if we would be interested in displaying the recreated indoor exhibit at The Domes,” said Sandy Folaron, Director of The Domes. “It’s so much fun to bring together the Kooky Cooky House with the family tradition of visiting The Domes over the holidays. I’m sure we’ll see many Baby Boomers reminiscing and sharing the experience with their children or grandchildren.”

Discovery World worked with local movie critic Gino Salomone to recreate the exhibit. When Capitol Court was demolished, Salomone rescued pieces from the Kooky Cooky House. Using photos, film footage, and Salomone’s memorabilia, Discovery World recreated the magical holiday experience.

For the past three years, the House was on display at Discovery World during the holiday season, and vintage toys were included in the display to give parents and grandparents a trip down memory lane.

Just as in the past, Santa will make appearances near his cookie factory at The Domes. Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Rudolph will make appearances Dec. 3, 9, and 16 from noon–3 p.m.

The Kooky Cooky House exhibit is included in the price of regular admission to The Domes. The 2017 admission for adults age 18 and over is $7; Milwaukee County Seniors with ID, persons with disabilities, students of any age with ID, and youth age 6–17 are $5; and children 5 and under are admitted for free.

In addition, Milwaukee County Residents with proof of residency receive free admission on Mondays, from 9 a.m.–noon, excluding the celebration of major holidays. (Regular admission is in effect Dec. 25, 2017 and Jan. 1, 2018.)

Hours of The Domes are Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Images Via Milwaukee County Parks